Major city puts hand up to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

A major city has put its hand up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games just a day after Daniel Andrews killed off the event in a move which ‘shocked’ the Australian Prime Minister.

A major city has put its hand up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games just a day after Daniel Andrews killed off the event in a move which ‘shocked’ the Australian Prime Minister.

Christchurch has emerged as a contender to host the Games after the Victorian Premier announced the state’s cancellation of the event due to budget blowouts.

It came as Anthony Albanese revealed he had been shocked at the announcement from Mr Andrews and was reluctant to defend the Premier’s decision.

“I was (shocked)”, he said.

“We did get a very short heads up that the announcement was coming but obviously it’s not something we were anticipating given that has been the wind for some time.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admitted he had been shocked at Mr Andrews’ decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The regret is for the athletes who will be hurt be this. The idea of competing at your own games is always a positive thing.”

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said on Wednesday – a day after Mr Andrews’ announcement – his city would “push in” to hold the sporting spectacle.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced the state’s cancellation of the occasion due to budget blowouts. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

“You know that I’m a fan of doing it in 2034, but now that Victoria has said enough is enough, let’s see if we can jump in there,” he told Chris Lynch Media.

“The New Zealand Olympic Committee are the ones who can push it and do it, and if they think there’s a glimmer of hope that we can, I think we should push in and do as much as we can.”

Mr Mauger was confident the city’s facilities were up to scratch to hold athletes of various sports and suggested rowing and cycling events could be held in towns Cambridge or Invercargill.

“All the stuff’s already built,” he said making mention also of a $641 million multipurpose stadium, which he expects will be “done by then”.

While the mayor added events could be shared with Australia similarly to the dual-host arrangement of the FIFA Women’s World Cup set to commence tomorrow, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) were quick to shutdown his dreams.

NZOC Chief Executive Nicki Nicol, who has made moves to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games said she was “incredibly disappointed” by the Victorian Premier’s decision.

“This unexpected announcement is unsettling for New Zealand team athletes who were working towards a Games close to home in just under three years,” she said.

“We are looking to the Commonwealth Games Federation as it begins a process to appoint a new host for 2026.”

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips said it was “beyond disappointing” Victoria had withdrawn from hosting the event. Picture AAP Image/James Ross

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips said it was “beyond disappointing” Victoria had withdrawn from hosting the event.

“The stated cost overruns in our opinion are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operation costs presented to the Victorian 2026 Organising Committee as recently as June this year,” he said.

“I can’t see it going north after today’s announcement and I would be very careful if I was an international sporting body coming in and doing business in this state in the future.”

Premier Andrews blamed a budget blowout of over $4 billion dollars for the decision to withdraw from hosting duties.

“We have world-class facilities, but we’re facing unprecedented debt in the state. I can’t commit to a massive project that we might not be able to complete,” he said on Tuesday.

Australia’s sporting reputation is now in jeopardy as Sydney, South Australia and Tasmania have confirmed they will not bid to step in and host, while the idea was also dismissed in Western Australia.